Click on image to view the full photo gallery
Vauxhall Victor FD 1600 (72 Hp)
Overall Rating
Vauxhall Victor:
The Vauxhall Victor is a large family car produced by Vauxhall from 1957 until 1976. The Victor was introduced to replace the outgoing Wyvern model. It was renamed Vauxhall VX Series in 1976 and continued in production until 1978, by which time it had grown significantly and was viewed, at least in its home market, as a larger-than-average family car.
The last Victor, the Victor FE, was also manufactured under licence by Hindustan Motors in India as the Hindustan Contessa, during the 1980s and early 2000s, with an Isuzu engine....(Read more on Wikipedia)
FD Overview:
Vauxhall Victor (FD). Weighing only 1053 kg, it’s quite light. Rear‑wheel drive offers dynamic handling and sporty feedback. A four-door car with a separate trunk, ideal for families and daily commuting. Seating for 4 makes it ideal for daily use.
The Vauxhall Victor FD was produced long before the establishment of Euro NCAP. Safety standards of the late 1960s and early 1970s were rudimentary by modern measures, focusing primarily on basic structural integrity and seatbelts, lacking advanced crumple zones or airbags.
1600 (72 Hp) Verdict:
Performance Verdict
The 1600cc engine, with 72 Hp, provides adequate but unexciting performance. It's suitable for sedate urban driving and gentle cruising, but struggles with rapid acceleration or sustained high-speed motorway travel, reflecting its entry-level status.
Fuel Economy
Fuel economy for the 1600 is typical for its era – not particularly efficient by modern standards, but acceptable for a family saloon of the late 60s. Expect moderate consumption in mixed driving conditions.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Distinctive and stylish 'coke bottle' design for its era
- • Relatively spacious interior and boot for a family saloon
- • Conventional and robust mechanicals, generally easy to maintain
- • Good value proposition as a used car in its time
- • Comfortable ride quality on varied road surfaces
Cons:
- • Susceptibility to rust, particularly in structural areas
- • Basic safety features by modern standards
- • Unrefined engine noise and vibration compared to later models
- • Performance, especially with the 1600 engine, can feel sluggish
- • Lack of modern amenities and driver aids
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(FD Estate: 1968 - 1972).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Vauxhall |
| Model: | Victor |
| Generation: | FD |
| Modification (Engine): | 1600 (72 Hp) |
| Start of production: | 1969 |
| End of production: | 1972 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Sedan |
| Seats: | 4 |
| Doors: | 4 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 72 Hp |
| Power per litre: | 45 Hp/l |
| Engine displacement: | 1599 |
| Number of cylinders: | 4 |
| Engine configuration: | Inline |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain: | SOHC |
| Engine oil capacity: | 4.6 l |
| Coolant: | 7 l |
| Cylinder Bore: | 85.73 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 69.25 mm mm |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 14.6 kg/Hp, 68.4 Hp/tonne |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 1053 |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 54.5 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 4488 mm mm [Same length.] |
| Width: | 1699 mm mm [Same width.] |
| Height: | 1333 mm mm [Same height.] |
| Wheelbase: | 2591 mm mm [Same wheelbase.] |
| Front track: | 1387 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1372 mm |
| Minimum turning circle (turning diameter): | 10.1 m [above average] |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the rear wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Rear wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 4 |
| Transmission type | Manual |
| Front brakes | Disc [bad for performance and cooling.] |
| Rear brakes | Drum [bad for performance and cooling.] |
| Steering type | Steering rack and pinion |
| Front suspension | Independent coil spring |
Describe your experience with the Vauxhall Victor using only emojis!